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    <title>NPR: physical activity</title>
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    <description>physical activity</description>
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      <title>NPR: physical activity</title>
      <link>https://www.npr.org/tags/158831875/physical-activity</link>
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    <item>
      <title>Do your kids want a dog? Science may be on their side</title>
      <description>Kids who have dogs get significantly more physical activity, compared to kids who don&apos;t.  Researchers followed 600 children over three years, and found young girls got the biggest exercise boost.</description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 04 Feb 2024 07:00:43 -0500</pubDate>
      <link>https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2024/02/04/1228472495/kids-dogs-exercise-dog-physical-activity-health</link>
      <guid>https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2024/02/04/1228472495/kids-dogs-exercise-dog-physical-activity-health</guid>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<img src='https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2024/02/02/gettyimages-167881617_custom-9196c54bae69d759088718d4ead38591fae20ee9.jpg' alt='Kids who have dogs get a boost in physical activity - especially young girls.'/><p>Kids who have dogs get significantly more physical activity, compared to kids who don't.  Researchers followed 600 children over three years, and found young girls got the biggest exercise boost.</p><p>(Image credit: Kristina Kamburova Photography)</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=1228472495' />]]></content:encoded>
      <dc:creator>Maria Godoy</dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>The Space Force is scrapping the annual fitness test in favor of wearable trackers</title>
      <description>The new approach aims to promote overall fitness instead of focusing on specific exercises, and the devices will also give Guardians feedback about mental health, balanced eating and sleep.</description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 02 Aug 2022 05:01:18 -0400</pubDate>
      <link>https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/08/02/1113936229/space-force-annual-fitness-test-wearable-trackers</link>
      <guid>https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/08/02/1113936229/space-force-annual-fitness-test-wearable-trackers</guid>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<img src='https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2022/07/27/060922_es_air-force-fitness-test-982bd5399db6da4326e88d51886f7798e9096519.jpg' alt='Air Force service members run a timed 1.5 miles during their annual physical fitness test at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois in June. The U.S. Space Force intends to do away with once-a-year assessments in favor of wearable technology.'/><p>The new approach aims to promote overall fitness instead of focusing on specific exercises, and the devices will also give Guardians feedback about mental health, balanced eating and sleep.</p><p>(Image credit: Eric Schmid)</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=1113936229' />]]></content:encoded>
      <dc:creator>Eric Schmid</dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Movement — Even Household Chores — May Boost Brain Health In Elderly</title>
      <description>Whether it&apos;s exercise or housework, older Americans who move their bodies regularly may preserve more of their memory and thinking skills, even if they have brain lesions and other signs of dementia.</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 16 Jan 2019 16:17:00 -0500</pubDate>
      <link>https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/01/16/684589375/daily-movement-even-household-chores-may-boost-brain-health-in-elderly</link>
      <guid>https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/01/16/684589375/daily-movement-even-household-chores-may-boost-brain-health-in-elderly</guid>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<img src='https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2019/01/16/gettyimages-636177354-7c8654f630599173062448204fc6c87a1a0de716.jpg' alt='Even something as simple as chopping up food on a regular basis can be enough exercise to help protect older people from showing signs of dementia, a new study suggests.'/><p>Whether it's exercise or housework, older Americans who move their bodies regularly may preserve more of their memory and thinking skills, even if they have brain lesions and other signs of dementia.</p><p>(Image credit: BSIP)</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=684589375' />]]></content:encoded>
      <dc:creator>Patti Neighmond</dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Kids With Concussions Can Phase In Exercise, Screen Time Sooner Than Before</title>
      <description>No longer do kids with concussions need to sit in dark rooms for days on end. For the first time in nearly a decade, the nation&apos;s pediatricians have loosened their guidance on concussion recovery.</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 03 Dec 2018 05:01:00 -0500</pubDate>
      <link>https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/12/03/672002830/kids-with-concussions-can-phase-in-exercise-screen-time-sooner-than-before</link>
      <guid>https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/12/03/672002830/kids-with-concussions-can-phase-in-exercise-screen-time-sooner-than-before</guid>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<img src='https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2018/12/03/monkey-bars-3df2d4f43fdad8e75cb09cd9aa0eef1e5b69e835.jpg' alt='While a day or two of complete rest may be necessary for kids after a concussion, any more could leave them feeling isolated and anxious, says Angela Lumba-Brown, a pediatric emergency medicine physician who helped shape new guidelines.'/><p>No longer do kids with concussions need to sit in dark rooms for days on end. For the first time in nearly a decade, the nation's pediatricians have loosened their guidance on concussion recovery.</p><p>(Image credit: Gregoire Sitter)</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=672002830' />]]></content:encoded>
      <dc:creator>Maanvi Singh</dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>New Physical Activity Guidelines Urge Americans: Move More, Sit Less</title>
      <description>After 10 years, the government has updated its physical activity advice. The new message? Every little bit of movement helps you stay healthy and is better than sitting on your couch.</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 12 Nov 2018 08:02:00 -0500</pubDate>
      <link>https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/11/12/666744493/new-physical-activity-guidelines-urge-americans-move-more-sit-less</link>
      <guid>https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/11/12/666744493/new-physical-activity-guidelines-urge-americans-move-more-sit-less</guid>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<img src='https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2018/11/11/family-walk-52f0786e0374210426c70a36e950c17f78016dd0.jpg' alt='Getting physical activity every day can help maintain health throughout your life.'/><p>After 10 years, the government has updated its physical activity advice. The new message? Every little bit of movement helps you stay healthy and is better than sitting on your couch.</p><p>(Image credit: Ronnie Kaufman/Larry Hirshowitz)</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=666744493' />]]></content:encoded>
      <dc:creator>Allison Aubrey</dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Physical Therapy May Help For Back Pain, But Time Works Best</title>
      <description>Most people don&apos;t need scans or surgery, but they do want relief from lower-back pain. Physical therapy isn&apos;t a cure, a study finds, but it did help some people regain mobility more quickly.</description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 13 Oct 2015 12:03:00 -0400</pubDate>
      <link>https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/10/13/448299723/physical-therapy-may-help-for-back-pain-but-time-works-best</link>
      <guid>https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/10/13/448299723/physical-therapy-may-help-for-back-pain-but-time-works-best</guid>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<img src='https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2015/10/13/istock_000026287366_large-7aee7daa3dd95786c86b811390d8fe818c4839aa.jpg' alt='Almost three-quarters of people will experience lower-back pain at some point.'/><p>Most people don't need scans or surgery, but they do want relief from lower-back pain. Physical therapy isn't a cure, a study finds, but it did help some people regain mobility more quickly.</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=448299723' />]]></content:encoded>
      <dc:creator>Lynne Shallcross</dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Some Chinese Grandparents Are Making Their Grandkids Fat</title>
      <description>A new study shows that children in China who are mainly cared for by grandparents instead of Mom and Dad are twice as likely to be overweight — contributing to the country&apos;s obesity epidemic.</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2015 14:55:00 -0400</pubDate>
      <link>https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2015/07/29/427066070/chinese-grandparents-are-making-their-grandkids-fat</link>
      <guid>https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2015/07/29/427066070/chinese-grandparents-are-making-their-grandkids-fat</guid>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<img src='https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2015/07/28/gettyimages-452267978_custom-45e69409bcfdd131cd8985b840a2ede52b552284.jpg' alt='At a camp for overweight children in Beijing, students stretch after taking a swim.'/><p>A new study shows that children in China who are mainly cared for by grandparents instead of Mom and Dad are twice as likely to be overweight — contributing to the country's obesity epidemic.</p><p>(Image credit: Kevin Frayer)</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=427066070' />]]></content:encoded>
      <dc:creator>Linda Poon</dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>More Active Play Equals Better Thinking Skills For Kids</title>
      <description>How long can you sit still in a desk? How about your 7-year-old? Maybe you could both use a break. A study shows that kids who get to run around and play after school are better at paying attention.</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 29 Sep 2014 14:12:00 -0400</pubDate>
      <link>https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2014/09/29/352455278/more-active-play-equals-better-thinking-skills-for-kids</link>
      <guid>https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2014/09/29/352455278/more-active-play-equals-better-thinking-skills-for-kids</guid>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<img src='https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2014/09/29/kidsrun_wide-4cd7d336b96c172a758d39e67bd34199e8ef7bd7.jpg' alt='Good for bodies and good for brains, the scientists say.'/><p>How long can you sit still in a desk? How about your 7-year-old? Maybe you could both use a break. A study shows that kids who get to run around and play after school are better at paying attention.</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=352455278' />]]></content:encoded>
      <dc:creator>Alison Bruzek</dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>What Makes Us Fat: Is It Eating Too Much Or Moving Too Little?</title>
      <description>Americans are much less active in their leisure time than they were 20 years ago; that&apos;s true even for young people. Up to half of people say they&apos;re completely sedentary. Desk jobs don&apos;t help.</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 04 Aug 2014 03:17:00 -0400</pubDate>
      <link>https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2014/08/04/336337337/what-makes-us-fat-is-it-eating-too-much-or-moving-too-little</link>
      <guid>https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2014/08/04/336337337/what-makes-us-fat-is-it-eating-too-much-or-moving-too-little</guid>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<img src='https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2014/08/01/snpr_sloth-1-_wide-e93f04cf6250c302c86ff44ca46652ed0c5e83b5.jpg' alt='undefined'/><p>Americans are much less active in their leisure time than they were 20 years ago; that's true even for young people. Up to half of people say they're completely sedentary. Desk jobs don't help.</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=336337337' />]]></content:encoded>
      <dc:creator>Patti Neighmond</dc:creator>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Want Your Kids To Ace School? Good Motor Skills May Help</title>
      <description>Children and teenagers who are aerobically fit and and have good motor skills do better academically, researchers say. But muscle strength doesn&apos;t help. And those motor skills may matter most.</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 19 Jun 2014 13:33:00 -0400</pubDate>
      <link>https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2014/06/19/323544161/want-your-kids-to-ace-school-good-motor-skills-may-help</link>
      <guid>https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2014/06/19/323544161/want-your-kids-to-ace-school-good-motor-skills-may-help</guid>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<img src='https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2014/06/19/teens-running-8d7cf485030fc894c45bead2a04332ad9bbd7861.jpg' alt='The cross country team may do more for your child's grades than the math tutor.'/><p>Children and teenagers who are aerobically fit and and have good motor skills do better academically, researchers say. But muscle strength doesn't help. And those motor skills may matter most.</p><p>(Image credit: Robert Brown)</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=323544161' />]]></content:encoded>
      <dc:creator>Nancy Shute</dc:creator>
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